The Heavenly Banquet: Understanding the Divine Liturgy

by
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis


Father Emmanuel Hatzidakis
About the Author:
Fr. Emmanuel Hatzidakis

Fr. Emmanuel was born in Greece on the island of Crete and is a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Fr. Emmanuel studied in Greece, Rome, and the United States. His undergraduate degree from Oberlin College is in Classics, and he has done additional graduate coursework in this field at the University of Chicago. Fr. Emmanuel has a Masters of Divinity degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA. In 2001 Fr. Emmanuel founded Orthodox Witness, a not-for-profit group dedicated to Orthodox Christian evangelism. Fr. Emmanuel is the priest at St. Luke the Evangelist Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, Missouri, a parish serving the multi-ethnic Orthodox Christian community of central Missouri.

E-mail Fr. Emmanuel


A book much needed, and unlike anything that has appeared in the English language on this subject, The Heavenly Banquet is more than a liturgical commentary. With an abundance of copiously documented biblical citations and rich patristic references, the Divine Liturgy is explained line by line, word by word. This book unhesitantly answers all kinds of complex liturgical, social, and theological questions.


“...a worthy contribution to Orthodox America
in this 21st Century, written for
our time, for our needs, and
for the good pasturing of the flock...”


† NATHANIEL, Archbishop of Detroit (OCA)
From his Foreword to The Heavenly Banquet

In depth, yet easy to follow, written in simple, understandable language, this book will aid Catechists and instructors who can draw from its abundant material for presentation and discussion. This work will be of great benefit to any Orthodox Christian who wants to obtain a better understanding of the Divine Liturgy. The richness and the depth of the subjects treated herein make The Heavenly Banquet a treasure.

420 pages

Content Features

Response to THB


How does one describe a magnificent banquet?... You’ve actually used the text of the Liturgy (as it should be) for explanation, not merely the actions. Bear in mind that if you convince your readers to take the words seriously, you are creating a NEW liturgical community versus the passive “onlookers” we have today... I am INSPIRED by your book...
Father Jim Doyle,
Chicago


Father Emmanuel, Christ is Risen! I studied with great interest the text of the Explanation of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. My warm congratulations... This work you labored testifies that you worked with great zeal and love... There are a plethora of references, extensive analysis, scientific documentation, but also beautiful introductions... You cast light on many issues...
Father Panagiotis Christodoulou,
Cyprus

Quality book features

$40.00

30% Church Bookstore discount available


To Order:

Orthodox Witness
P.O. Box 10022
Columbia, MO 65205
(618) 207-0598
orders@orthodoxwitness.org

Individuals
Please send your order request with a check payable to Orthodox Witness (Number of books + s/h).

Churches and Bookstores
Please e-mail or mail us your order and we will send an invoice with your order.


Shipping & Handling

USPS PRIORITY FLAT RATE
2-3 day delivery
anywhere in the United States

1-5 Books: $15

USPS Media Mail
$7.50 or 10% of order (whichever is greater)

For International orders, please e-mail us .


Review of The Heavenly Banquet

Orthodox Witness, after a small publication, Preaching Another Christ (2002), and The Garden of the Holy Spirit (2006), makes its presence felt through a new ambitious publication: The Heavenly Banquet ("THB" or "commentary"), a 420 page explanation of the Divine Liturgy.

The Divine Liturgy is a great mystery, but this does not justify the ignorance of the people concerning what is taking place in it, what is its purpose, what are the benefits derived from it, what should our participation be, etc. In the pages of THB one will find both concise and expanded answers to these and other important questions, the end result of which is a fuller, more rewarding and more meaningful participation in the Divine Liturgy.

By reading the Introduction alone, one is introduced into the inexhaustible riches of the Divine Liturgy. But THB goes on, in its more than 300 dense pages that follow, to provide answers to a multiplicity of questions. Why do we pray for our armed forces? The question leads to a brief examination of the issue of war. The petition, For favorable weather leads to an exploration of the issue of God’s involvement in the world. Praying for the dead leads to a study on the souls, remembering the bishop leads to a brief study of the bishop’s role in the Church, calling God Father leads to an excursion on the first person of the Holy Trinity, and praying for healing leads to a study on miracles. Many other issues are addressed in a similar fashion, including suffering, grace, intercession and veneration of saints, inspiration, judgment, open communion, significance of dogma, and so on.

The commentary examines in depth certain crucial issues, such as:

The commentary returns to a few points with persistence. Active and joyful participation by the people stands out — participation through a fuller comprehension, by joining in the singing, by praying and, especially, through participation in the holy sacraments. The commentary insists that the so-called secret prayers be read out loud. Another important point stressed by the book is a joyful participation in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

THB opens new vistas, offering an eschatological perspective of the Eucharistic Mystery, and a renewed call for regular participation of the Eucharist. It contains extensive sections on how to prepare for Holy Communion, on how frequently to approach, it provides guidance on Communion fasting, and an explanation of the great mystery and what it does to those who partake of it.

The commentary does not balk at addressing difficult and controversial issues:

Follow THB and the Divine Liturgy won’t be boring to you ever again. THB will help you pray with understanding, with meaning, with fervor, with spiritual joy.